What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

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What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by fingerpuk »

So, commuting to London 90 miles per day twice a week - cannot be bothered with the train anymore.

Want a reliable upright bike that won’t get too much attention. How reliable is this bike? Anyone have any experience? What goes wrong with it? I have £3k ish for a ULEZ bike that won’t fall apart.

Motorway involved so needs to cope with that.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by KungFooBob »

Don't buy one with a grey engine. I can't remember which year they swapped to the black engine.

EDIT:

Looking online I don't think the 'R' was early enough to get the grey engine.

I'd be looking at a Honda NCX, they're not very exciting, but they sip fuel and last forever.
Last edited by KungFooBob on Wed Feb 01, 2023 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Taipan »

What KFB said. I had a grey engined f800s and the poxy thing would just cut out at random. It was actually dangerous and i sold it for export and vowed never to have another again. Being a fickle bastard I got a black engined f800r and loved it. Had a postal remap by mototuning in Dublin which made it even better, with good useable, liner grunt. Surprisingly economical bike too!
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by KungFooBob »

Jesus, I just had a look at NC750/700X's and CB500X's on t'bay.

I had an NC700X five years ago, it cost me £3500 and had about 4k on the clock, to buy one now you need almost £4k for one with 30k on the clock, the CB500X's cost even more!
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Bustaspoke »

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Feb 01, 2023 9:17 pm Jesus, I just had a look at NC750/700X's and CB500X's on t'bay.

I had an NC700X five years ago, it cost me £3500 and had about 4k on the clock, to buy one now you need almost £4k for one with 30k on the clock, the CB500X's cost even more!
I fancied a CB500X for doing some gravel touring,getting of the beaten track & exploring but they're going for daft money so I'll put some handlebars on my SV650 & ride that instead :thumbup: .
OP have a look for a Kawasaki Versys 650 or a Suzuki SV650, for 3K you should be able to find something half decent.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Cousin Jack »

The CB500F is cheaper and will do 99% of what an X will do. Of course it doesnt have the adventure bike look, but who cares?
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Bustaspoke »

Cousin Jack wrote: Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:08 pm The CB500F is cheaper and will do 99% of what an X will do. Of course it doesnt have the adventure bike look, but who cares?
TBH The last thing I want is the 'ADV' look,that's why I bought a SV instead of a V-Strom :D
The CB500F could be a good commuter,can you get a decent one for 3K?
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Cousin Jack »

Bustaspoke wrote: Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:16 pm
Cousin Jack wrote: Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:08 pm The CB500F is cheaper and will do 99% of what an X will do. Of course it doesnt have the adventure bike look, but who cares?
TBH The last thing I want is the 'ADV' look,that's why I bought a SV instead of a V-Strom :D
The CB500F could be a good commuter,can you get a decent one for 3K?
No idea of values, mine is a 2019 model and I was offered around £3k to trade in because it is 'high mileage' (8k). I suspect it would retail at £4500, so a 2017 one would probably be in budget.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Buckaroo »

I had a F800R sport 2018 in motorad colours plus all the trimmings.

Great bike, the engine was plenty powerful enough, but quite vibey.

Never had any issues with it and easily got 70 plus mpg.

I also had the touring version with belt drive. Toured Scotland on it and rode home in a day. Very comfortable and again, reliable.

Can you believe that I PXd it for a Harley. Night and day in terms of build quality and reliability.

Still can't get over doing such a dumb thing (Sorry LB).

I'd happily get another F800 but my next bike is an R90T.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Count Steer »

I had a bike with the F800 engine in. It was like an air box+amplifier with a sewing machine attached. I haven't enjoyed an engine less since the BSA A7.

Probably a perfect commuter power plant. :D
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by fingerpuk »

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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by The Spin Doctor »

I found the rear-mounted fuel tank produced some weird 'tail wagging the dog' handling characteristics on the F700GS. Felt like my old overloaded 400-F courier bike.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by fingerpuk »

Still trying to buy this bike, the shop seems less interested than I am 😀

Train cancelled again. Desperate to get a bike to avoid this shitty train commute at £50 a day.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Buckaroo »

Well, did you manage to get the bike?
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by McSatan »

I had an F800S for about a year. It was a very good bike. But I really wanted something a bit sillier so bought a Diavel.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by fingerpuk »

I never bought the bike in the end, as my London commute became a Denmark commute. But looking to do it in the spring.
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Feb 01, 2023 9:17 pm I had an NC700X five years ago, it cost me £3500 and had about 4k on the clock, to buy one now you need almost £4k for one with 30k on the clock, the CB500X's cost even more!
According to the BoE calculator £3500 five years ago is equivalent to over £4200 now. And that's before you factor I'm Covid price oddness!

Time's a bitch eh? Even in old threads.

I'd buy a CB500 BTW :D
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

fingerpuk wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:13 am London commute became a Denmark commute.
Did you have to buy a vehicle in Denmark? Did you see the prices :o
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Dickyboy »

Surely an F800GT would be better for commuting?
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Re: What is the BMW F800R like? The 2009 model.

Post by Sunny »

fingerpuk wrote: Mon Feb 06, 2023 7:27 pm Still trying to buy this bike, the shop seems less interested than I am 😀

Train cancelled again. Desperate to get a bike to avoid this shitty train commute at £50 a day.
Don't forget to claim for delay repay :thumbup: